Police charge four with robbery in Maine Mall parking lot

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Four people are facing robbery charges after a man was robbed in a Maine Mall parking lot Wednesday, according to police.

The victim had allegedly sold a cellphone to one of the suspects that was found to be unusable, according to South Portland police Sgt. Steven Webster.

The person who purchased the phone subsequently made arrangements to meet up with the victim to get their money back, Webster said, but trouble started when three acquaintances came along for the meeting.

One of the suspects assaulted the victim while the others took his money, Webster said.

Police responded and arrested four suspects: Gabriel Sobczak, 18; Meadow Collins, 19; Justin Fletcher, 38; and Elizabeth Collins, 52, all of South Portland, Webster said. All four suspects are facing a Class A robbery charge, a felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

The victim was treated for injuries not considered to be life threatening at Maine Medical Center, the sergeant said. The four suspects are due in court Friday.